Full Name
Michelle Blake Wilson
Job Title
Co-Founder I CEO
Company
Empower ONYX
Speaker Bio
Michelle Blake Wilson is a recognized experiential brand and marketing strategist, who has helped grow national companies in the retail, luxury, sports, and entertainment sectors. With over 20 years of experience, Wilson has a proven track record of successfully delivering against project objectives by generating and executing marketing concepts utilizing cross-functional teams and brand ambassadors to implement companies’ key sponsorship strategies and positioned events that achieve profitability while at the same time raising brand awareness. She’s become an expert at driving innovation, creativity, and leadership to support partners’ vision and global strategies that have resulted in successful local and national campaigns in an organic and authentic way.
Over the course of Blake-Wilson’s career, she demonstrated and honed capabilities to be a success within the experiential marketing space: with the intellectual horsepower to synthesize data to inform creative decisions, the personality and communication skills to develop and sustain strong customer relationships, and the tenacity and wherewithal to overcome a project’s obstacles.
In August 2021, Blake-Wilson became the Co-Founder and CEO of Empower Onyx, a New York-based and Black-owned minority business community platform aimed at inspiring Black women and girls. They showcase the transformative power of sport, promote self-love, and encourage healthy living while allowing Black women and girls to be seen and heard through inspiring content.
On top of her current duties, she is the managing partner and founder of a boutique experiential marketing agency, the b’elle group. At ViacomCBS/BET, Blake-Wilson developed and executed sponsorship activation programs for 20+ blue-chip brands, managed a wide spectrum of events. Prior to ViacomCBS/BET Network, Michelle held several senior marketing/sponsorship roles including leadership roles on the Mercedes-Benz Experiential Account Team at Engine Shop, Managing Director of Marketing & Communications for USTA Eastern, Assistant Merchandise Director for Limited Brands-Victoria Secret Stores, Major Account Manager for Flora Nikrooz and Assistant Buyer for Bloomingdales.
Michelle’s strong experience is coupled with a solid educational background, including an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BS in Marketing from Hampton University. She is on the board of Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program, a member of W.I.S.E., Jack & Jill of America, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Michelle’s four greatest inspirations are her loving husband Jason, daughter Blake and sons Parker and Rashod.
Over the course of Blake-Wilson’s career, she demonstrated and honed capabilities to be a success within the experiential marketing space: with the intellectual horsepower to synthesize data to inform creative decisions, the personality and communication skills to develop and sustain strong customer relationships, and the tenacity and wherewithal to overcome a project’s obstacles.
In August 2021, Blake-Wilson became the Co-Founder and CEO of Empower Onyx, a New York-based and Black-owned minority business community platform aimed at inspiring Black women and girls. They showcase the transformative power of sport, promote self-love, and encourage healthy living while allowing Black women and girls to be seen and heard through inspiring content.
On top of her current duties, she is the managing partner and founder of a boutique experiential marketing agency, the b’elle group. At ViacomCBS/BET, Blake-Wilson developed and executed sponsorship activation programs for 20+ blue-chip brands, managed a wide spectrum of events. Prior to ViacomCBS/BET Network, Michelle held several senior marketing/sponsorship roles including leadership roles on the Mercedes-Benz Experiential Account Team at Engine Shop, Managing Director of Marketing & Communications for USTA Eastern, Assistant Merchandise Director for Limited Brands-Victoria Secret Stores, Major Account Manager for Flora Nikrooz and Assistant Buyer for Bloomingdales.
Michelle’s strong experience is coupled with a solid educational background, including an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BS in Marketing from Hampton University. She is on the board of Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program, a member of W.I.S.E., Jack & Jill of America, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Michelle’s four greatest inspirations are her loving husband Jason, daughter Blake and sons Parker and Rashod.
Speaking At